Determining probable alkalinity in RO water

Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Yooper

Ale's What Cures You!
Staff member
Admin
Mod
HBT Supporter
Joined
Jun 4, 2006
Messages
75,108
Reaction score
13,253
Location
UP/Snowbird in Florida
I remember a post somewhere by AJ deLange, talking about the amount of alkalinity removed by RO systems at home. I can't find it now! I know that the RO system doesn't remove everything, so I was thinking if I could estimate the probably result then I wouldn't have to send in my treated water to Ward Labs.

I do have an aquarium hardness test kit, so I was wondering if I can use what I know from my water chemistry prior to RO filtering and testing the end water to guestimate my alkalinity before I brew today.
 
I remember a post somewhere by AJ deLange, talking about the amount of alkalinity removed by RO systems at home. I can't find it now! I know that the RO system doesn't remove everything, so I was thinking if I could estimate the probably result then I wouldn't have to send in my treated water to Ward Labs.

I do have an aquarium hardness test kit, so I was wondering if I can use what I know from my water chemistry prior to RO filtering and testing the end water to guestimate my alkalinity before I brew today.

If you have a kH kit then you can directly measure the alkalinity. But, I believe he's said they'll usually remove about 95% of everything (some a little higher, some a little lower). Even if it's only 90% for yours, you should still be within the primer's alkalinity max, I'd imagine.
 
If you have a kH kit then you can directly measure the alkalinity. But, I believe he's said they'll usually remove about 95% of everything (some a little higher, some a little lower). Even if it's only 90% for yours, you should still be within the primer's alkalinity max, I'd imagine.

I did- but I just had a "duh!" moment. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I added 3 grams CaS04 and 4.5 grams of CaCl2 to my 13 gallons of brewing water and sort of forgot about it (as the water was "done").

I mashed in (mash pH 5.55), added two gallons of tap water to my water in the HLT (HLT is small and needed a bit more) and checked the alkalinity with the GH/KH kit. It's HIGH. I went into a mini-panic, thinking my brand new RO system was junk.

Then, the light bulb went off. Um, next time, dummy, do that before you add the salts! :D
 
Back
Top